Isaiah Tree by Anna Lea Cannon: A Faith-Based Story That Inspires Readers of All Ages

 A Gentle, Faith-Based Story About Feeling Seen, Loved, and Transformed

If you're a parent, grandparent, Sunday school teacher, homeschooler—or even leading an adult faith study—you know the challenge of finding faith-based books that truly resonate.

So many titles are too complicated or overly preachy. Others don't encourage the real, meaningful conversations families and groups want.

Anna Lea Cannon’s Isaiah Tree: The Olive Tree That Jesus Touched is different. It's beautifully written, accessible across ages, and perfect for sparking discussions about faith, hope, interconnectedness, and Christ’s love—even with teens and adults.

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🌿 What Isaiah Tree Is About

Isaiah Tree is designed for a broad audience—children approximately 6–12, teens, and even adults in faith groups.

The story follows an olive tree near Jerusalem that longs to see the Prince of Peace. It listens carefully to the prophet Isaiah’s words and hopes it might one day witness the Messiah’s arrival.

Generations pass. The tree grows roots that intertwine with neighbors. It becomes part of a community that supports one another, passing truth through the ages:

“Old roots, neighboring branches, and new trees were all interconnected as they supported each other and grew.”

The tree finally experiences the miracle of seeing Jesus. It witnesses the depth of His love and sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane. This isn’t just a story of being overlooked and found—it’s about bearing witness, carrying light, and sharing Christ’s peace across generations.

It asks a profound question:

“Could Isaiah Tree somehow pass on that light from the Prince of Peace to the world?”

It’s a gentle, powerful allegory about sharing faith and hope far beyond oneself.

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✨ Why Families, Educators, and Ministry Volunteers Love It

✅ Age-appropriate but thought-provoking – Works beautifully for children, teens, and even adult discussion groups.
✅ Clear spiritual teaching – Introduces biblical themes in accessible language.
✅ Encourages deep conversations – Sparks meaningful questions about witnessing, legacy, and faith.
✅ Faith-building – Shows how Christ’s love can bring peace and light to the world.
✅ Versatile – Perfect for bedtime reading, Sunday school, family devotions, or even adult faith groups.

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"Anna Lea Cannon during her visit to Jerusalem."

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👩‍🏫 About the Author

Anna Lea Cannon is an American author and educator who has dedicated her writing to making spiritual truths accessible across generations.

Her experience as a teacher and a volunteer in settings like state mental hospitals has shaped her storytelling—ensuring it resonates not only with children, but also with teens and adults seeking hope and faith.

Other works include:

• Sweet Fruit: The Palm Tree That Was Touched by Jesus – A biblical allegory about renewal and forgiveness.

• A Missionary Widow: The Enduring Power of Faith and Love – An adult memoir exploring faith, grief, and spiritual endurance.

Her mission is simple: help families and communities share stories that bring Christ’s light to the world.

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📚 Where to Buy Isaiah Tree

Anna’s books are published with smaller, independent presses, so they may not always be at every big-box store. But you can easily order online:

✅ Amazon
✅ Indigo
✅ Walmart

If you prefer shopping local, many independent Christian bookstores can also special-order it with the ISBN.

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🌱 Why It’s Worth Sharing

Isaiah Tree doesn’t simplify faith into something childish. Instead, it invites readers—young and old—to think about:

✅ Longing for Jesus and recognizing Him when He comes.
✅ The miracle of witnessing His love and sacrifice.
✅ Passing on faith and light through generations.
✅ The deep interconnectedness of the faith community.

It’s the kind of story that sparks real, lasting questions:

“What does it mean to wait for Jesus?”
“How can we carry His light to the world?”
“How are we connected to those who came before us in faith?”

If you want to plant seeds of faith that grow with your children, your students, or your group, Isaiah Tree is a powerful, accessible choice.

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✅ Parents looking for thoughtful, faith-based bedtime stories
✅ Sunday school teachers wanting age-flexible lessons
✅ Grandparents seeking meaningful gifts
✅ Homeschool families adding biblical themes
✅ Ministry volunteers reading to adult groups

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✨ In a busy world, Isaiah Tree offers families and groups a chance to slow down, read together, and talk about Christ’s peace, sacrifice, and hope in a way that feels natural—not forced.

✅ Order your copy today.
✅ Read it with your family, students, or faith group.
✅ Talk about what it means to share Christ’s light.

If you're building a library of meaningful Christian stories, this one truly deserves a place.

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#IsaiahTree #ChristianBooks #FaithForAllAges #ReadAloudStories #SpiritualParenting #BiblicalStories #AnnaLeaCannon

Whispers of Wonder: The Magic of The Three Secrets Returns in a New Edition

A beautifully illustrated children’s book makes its way back to readers’ hearts—this time with a refreshed look and renewed reach.

There’s something timeless about children’s books that whisper instead of shout—those quiet treasures that speak to the hearts of young readers with warmth, wisdom, and a touch of wonder. The Three Secrets by Gretchen Bainum is one of those rare gems.

First printed in limited copies, The Three Secrets is a gentle, beautifully illustrated story that wraps meaningful lessons in the form of a heartfelt narrative—perfect for bedtime reading, classroom storytelling, or a quiet moment of reflection with a child.

Now, after a period of quiet presence, this beloved book is preparing for a new chapter.

🌿 A Story Worth Re-Telling

The book follows a rhythm that’s both soothing and thought-provoking, gently guiding children through three important “secrets” that resonate far beyond childhood. Without preaching, the narrative builds trust with the reader, weaving its message into every brushstroke and line.

Although originally released in printed format only, the author is now working on expanding its accessibility. A new edition—available in both hardcover and eBook formats—is currently underway, with plans to distribute globally through IngramSpark. Parents, educators, and gift-givers who missed the first printing will finally have their chance to own this quiet masterpiece.

Illustrated with Intention

The illustrations in The Three Secrets are not merely decorative—they are essential to the emotional landscape of the story. Each page is thoughtfully paired with images that expand the narrative, drawing in readers of all ages with their charm and detail. It’s the kind of art that invites you to linger, making the book as much a visual experience as it is a literary one.

Even in digital formats, the visual narrative remains front and center. As Gretchen prepares the new edition, the integrity of the art and layout is a priority, ensuring that the tactile warmth of the original book translates beautifully into its hardcover and e-reader versions.

📦 A Limited First Run—and a New Beginning

At present, only four physical copies of The Three Secrets remain in the author’s possession. These copies represent a cherished first print run, but they’re also a signal: something special is on the horizon.

Gretchen has completed the interior layout, secured custom cover designs for both front and back, and is finalizing the setup of her IngramSpark publishing account. With assistance from a white-label production team, this relaunch isn’t just a reprint—it’s a full revival.

🌏 Global Stage Debut: Manila International Book Fair 2025

Perhaps most exciting of all: The Three Secrets will be featured at the Manila International Book Fair 2025, one of Asia’s largest and most dynamic publishing events. Represented by Page Solutions, this opportunity places the book directly into the hands of international distributors, readers, educators, and literary scouts.

This appearance marks the book’s first major public showcase since its original release—introducing it to a new generation of readers and expanding its reach across continents.

📢 Watch This Space

The new edition of The Three Secrets is more than a reprint—it’s a return to what matters most in children’s literature: honesty, emotion, and imagination. As republishing moves forward, keep an eye out for the relaunch announcement, exclusive previews, and opportunities to preorder your copy.

In a world where children’s media is louder than ever, The Three Secrets offers something rare: a moment of quiet magic. And that, perhaps, is its greatest gift.

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From Hidden Talent to Household Name: Why Your Author Platform Is Everything

 

In today’s competitive publishing landscape, writing a great book is just the beginning. To truly stand out — especially if you’re aiming for a traditional deal or broader recognition — you need one thing that goes beyond talent: an author platform.

The Foundation Behind Every Breakout Author: What Is a Platform, Really?

An author platform is the backbone of your visibility and credibility. It answers two crucial questions agents and publishers always ask:

• Why should we trust you to write this book? (Credibility)
• Who’s going to read it — right now? (Visibility)

Your platform is your influence, your reach, and your track record — bundled into one powerful proof of potential.

Why Gatekeepers Look at Platform Before Page One

In the eyes of agents and publishers, a platform signals proof of audience — and with that, less financial risk. A solid platform means you’re not starting from scratch; you’ve already built interest in your voice and ideas.

This is especially true for nonfiction. Some agents say that a strong platform can account for up to 50% of their decision to take on a manuscript.

No Fame? No Problem — It’s About Proof, Not Popularity

You don’t need millions of followers or a verified badge to stand out. What you do need is evidence — clear signs that people are listening and engaging with your work.

Examples include:

• A blog that attracts steady traffic
• Testimonials or blurbs from respected figures
• Speaking events, podcast interviews, or media features
• Social media posts that spark real conversations

It’s not about being famous — it’s about being proven.

Platform-Building That Works: Smart Moves for Every Author

You don’t need to go viral. You just need to get started — with the right moves. Here are actionable ways to grow both your credibility and visibility:

• Secure blurbs from authors, experts, or industry figures
• Engage in communities on Facebook, LinkedIn, Reddit, or forums
• Create a blog or website to share updates and insights
• Publish guest posts in trade journals or relevant online publications
• Book guest spots on podcasts or YouTube channels
• Speak at events, workshops, or local writing groups
• Highlight awards or leadership roles in bios and pitches
• Show up at conferences to network and learn

Every step you take builds your track record. Click here for a deeper dive into successful platform-building strategies.

Does Genre Matter? How Platform Priorities Shift Between Fiction and Nonfiction

Absolutely — genre plays a huge role in how much platform matters.

• Fiction relies more on compelling storytelling. A platform is helpful, but the manuscript often speaks for itself.
• Nonfiction — especially in business, health, memoir, or self-help — demands platform proof. Your authority is part of the pitch.

Don’t try to do it all. Focus on what fits your genre, strengths, and available time. Even small efforts — like a consistent blog or an active Facebook group — can make a major difference.

Final Word: Don’t Pitch Dreams — Pitch Evidence

Agents and editors don’t need grand plans — they need receipts.

• Show your email list, not just your intention to build one.
• Share real engagement, not just aspirations.
• Provide actual blurbs, published clips, or event photos.

Your platform is your professional proof. And in a market where attention is currency, it’s one of the most valuable tools you have.

#AuthorPlatform, #PublishingTips, #BookMarketing, #WritersLife, #IndieAuthors, #AmWriting, #BookPromotion, #AuthorBranding, #GetPublished, #WritingCommunity

Author Interview: Norman L. Miller

 

Norman L. Miller

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Norman L. Miller, author of IceSpy and its sequel Inside the Cold War, two gripping Cold War spy thrillers rooted in real-life events. Miller’s background is as extraordinary as the story itself — he served as a U.S. Olympic Bobsled Coach and a career member of the U.S. Air Force, and he found himself at the heart of an international incident that helped unravel the Soviet grip on Latvia.

IceSpy tells the story of a covert mission masked as a cultural exchange, where sports and politics collided in the most unexpected ways. The novel is a blend of firsthand experience and fiction carefully crafted to protect those involved. Measuring 6 x 0.78 x 9 inches in its latest hardcover edition, IceSpy is available in print, eBook, and audiobook formats through major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

To explore the true story behind the fiction, readers can visit NormMillerAuthor.com or watch the official book trailer on YouTube.

We spoke about the origins of the book, the dangers of real-world espionage, and the message he hopes readers walk away with.

Jack: What inspired you to write IceSpy? Was there a specific event or personal experience that sparked the idea?

Norman: The IceSpy experience was extraordinarily precarious. I believed it would be extremely difficult for readers to understand that two people would be actually be the center of an international incident that became the ACTUAL START OF THE SOVIET UNION BREAKUP! When the Professor and the Author actually returned and landed in America, the Professor turned to the Author and said: “No one will ever believe us, no one!”

Jack: How much of IceSpy draws from real historical or political contexts, and how much is fiction?

Norman: The main theme of the story is based on actual experience and political events that were part of the Latvian Socialist Slate’s strategy to separate from the Soviet Union. Latvia had actually filed legal papers in the international courts to legally separate from the former Soviet Union.

It was this situation that the Author assumed if Latvia was successful, the Russians would stop all bobsled funding. The Author believed that if he was able to engage with a cultural invitation, the Latvians would provide the Author with secrets rather than allow the Russians from obtaining them. This allowed the Author to obtain secrets for the US government!

A press conference in Riga, Latvia, was scheduled to announce that the author and the Soviet Union Minister of Sports had reached an agreement for the Soviet Union Bobsled team to visit America for the 10th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Games at Lake Placid, NY.

A Russian TV personality from Moscow made this statement: “Mr. Miller, since 1940 when Russia occupied Latvia, the Latvian Socialist State has never conducted business on their own without first seeking permission from Moscow! My question to you is this: Mr. Miller, as an American did it bother you that the Latvian Socialist State invited you to Latvia with a Diplomatic Visa without first seeking permission from Moscow?”

The Author replied: “Anytime I work with a foreign government I must report to the American Government my activities, which I did.” The Author then stated that he was not familiar with the Soviet requirements and left that for the Soviet Union Bobsled organization to do!

The question was repeated to the Minister of Sports of the Soviet Union who was actually Latvian and Russian. He responded: “I did not invite the Americans. The Latvian Socialist State debated for three months on how to handle the invitation and decided the time had come for Latvia to handle their own affairs and not Moscow!”

Fiction was interwoven to protect Latvian and American people who were actually involved with the incident!

Jack: How would you describe your main character? What challenges does he face in the story, and how do they reflect broader themes in the book?

Norman: The main character, Shawn Murphy, was a career member of the US Air Force and serving as the US Olympic Bobsled Coach. His background provided the CIA the opportunity to use his position to obtain strategic high-level secrets for the US Navy.

Working with the Author was a Design Professor from Syracuse University, who was helping the Author to develop more aerodynamic bobsled designs. Professor Malinowski’s background when working for Ford Motors was his design of the original Ford Mustang.

The third character was the Minister of Sports who made the astonishing international statement with the Author and was arrested the next morning then executed for crimes against the former Soviet Union.

The Author and the professor were smuggled out of Latvia and hidden in the Communist Party Hotel in Tallinn, Estonia for five days, then taken by boat to Helsinki, Finland. The Author successfully smuggled written secrets for the US Government. These are actual events with only names changed to protect them.

Jack: What message or feeling do you hope readers walk away with after finishing IceSpy?

Norman: I would like readers to get a small glimpse of what actually happens behind the scenes in the real world! In the espionage world people are often put into hazardous positions and cut off from the rest of the world. Their military training and desire to stay alive allows them to make instant extremely important life-saving decisions.

I want readers to read the story and actually “feel” like they are physically involved or watching a movie. They should be so emersed in the story that it is extremely difficult to put the novel down without turning the next page!

Jack: You’ve had experience with self-publishing and navigating the publishing world. What advice would you give to other authors trying to stay true to their vision while reaching an audience?

Norman: Self-publishing is extremely difficult and can be very expensive due to the corrupt people in the publishing world. Perhaps patience is the best advice to give authors. Instead of self-publishing a novel, be patient and spend your efforts on reaching an agreement with an authentic Literary Agent.

Jack: If IceSpy were to be adapted into a film or series, do you already have a vision for who might play key roles or how the tone should be captured on screen?

Norman: The film world has many excellent actors who are capable of representing the characters in the story. The tone should be about true history and brave characters who courageously and successfully accomplished extremely dangerous missions for their government.

Jack: Are there any upcoming projects, sequels, or companion works in progress that readers should look out for?

Norman: A sequel has been produced to complete the story. The majority of this novel is fiction, but Inside The Cold War completes the original story, IceSpy. A third novel is currently in the works and will also be a sequel to IceSpy.

Intrigued by Corruption actually expands the involvement of the Mafia’s take over of the US Bobsled Federation which athletes suspected was done to transfer Mafia cash to Swiss Banks!

Jack: Where can readers follow you online or learn more about your work?

Norman: To provide readers who are interested in learning more about the Author, should view his website: NormMillerAuthor.com, or visit Norm Miller Author on YouTube.

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From Obscurity to Opportunity: Why Self-Published Authors Shouldn't Sit Out International Book Fairs

 Did you know that over one million self-published books are released each year—but only a tiny fraction get noticed? Here's the truth: writing a great book is only half the battle. The other half? Visibility. Exposure. The power of marketing. That's where book fairs, media appearances, and strategic promotion come in.

Marketing is what turns a hidden gem into a global success. It’s not only about standing behind a booth at a book fair—it’s about positioning your story where it can spark attention, conversation, and opportunity. The playing field isn’t as uneven as it once was. In fact, some of today’s most viral, best-selling authors started on the self-publishing path—with nothing but belief in their story and the will to be seen.

Let’s take a closer look:

Tina Seskis – One Step Too Far

She self-published a psychological thriller with no expectations. But instead of keeping it online in silence, she created her own imprint, presented it at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2013, and walked away with a six-figure deal from HarperCollins. One move, one trip, changed the trajectory of her book forever.

Book fairs, social media, strategic partnerships—they're all part of the same mission: helping the right book find the right audience. That’s what happened when modern marketing tools collided with passion projects.

Olivie Blake – The Atlas Six

Blake self-published her fantasy novel in 2020. It went viral on TikTok—under the powerful #BookTok community—and generated over 11 million mentions. By 2021, Tor Books (under Pan Macmillan) had acquired the trilogy in a seven-way auction. The revised edition became a bestseller in 2022. The lesson? Today’s visibility often begins with author initiative—and sometimes it ends in a global publishing deal.

Hugh Howey – Wool
Howey’s self-published novella gained momentum digitally, and he used that traction to present at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2012. Simon & Schuster grabbed print rights, and Howey retained e-book rights. He didn’t need to give up everything—just amplify what he had already built. That's marketing in action.

Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin – The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep
In 2014, Ehrlin self-published a bedtime book using psychological methods to help kids sleep. It became a breakout success, reaching the top of Amazon charts in the US and UK—a first for a self-published title. In 2015, Penguin Random House acquired the rights and distributed it globally. This proves how unorthodox ideas, paired with bold self-promotion, can outshine even the most traditional releases.

Still not convinced? Here's another case where visibility met innovation:

Rita Carla Francesca Monticelli – Deserto Rosso
Monticelli, an Italian sci-fi author, showcased her self-published series at the Turin and Frankfurt Book Fairs in 2014. That move led to attention from Wired Italia and international translation deals. She didn’t have a marketing agency—just determination and a willingness to be present.

Andy Weir – The Martian

Weir released chapters of The Martian on his website for free, then sold the complete book on Kindle for 99 cents. He moved 35,000 copies in three months. Crown Publishing bought the rights in 2013, and two years later, it hit the NYT Bestseller list—and the big screen with Matt Damon. The visibility Weir created himself made traditional publishers take him seriously.

E. L. James – Fifty Shades of Grey

What began as Twilight fan fiction transformed into one of the biggest publishing stories of the decade. Self-published in 2011, the book spread virally. In 2012, Vintage Books picked it up. Today it has sold over 150 million copies and launched a billion-dollar film franchise. All because James dared to put her work out there.

So yeah, authors—don’t be afraid. Maybe you're not great at marketing. Maybe you're still finding your voice in writing. But take the shot anyway. Because someone out there needs your story—and they’ll never find it unless you show up.

Book fairs aren’t just events. They’re launchpads. Marketing isn’t just selling—it’s storytelling in a way that travels. And success doesn’t always come from perfection—it often comes from participation.

You may not be the best marketer. That’s okay. Many great marketers aren’t great writers either. Life evens the playing field—you just have to be willing to walk onto it.

Your story is valid. Your voice matters. And with the right exposure, your self-published book could be the next big thing.

Dare to be seen.

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